When you first started getting into the world of homebrewing, you probably had a dream to someday become the next big brewery. Maybe every time you see those beer commercials in between football and hockey games, you go into a brief trance where you see your own beer brand at the centre of that commercial. It’s always good to think big, and keep those dreams alive.

But why do you stick to the same old five or 10 gallon brew pot? If you want to get to the big leagues, you’re going to have to start making bigger batches, which means you’re gonna have to start use bigger brew kettles. If you’ve been stalling on making that jump, then it’s time for you to start using a 20 gallon brew kettle (my personal favorite is from ……..!). Doing so will give you the room to take your brewing up a few notches in terms of your yield. Soon, you’ll be brewing for the whole neighbourhood!

Brewing Bigger Batches

Outside of your own beer, what is your favourite beer brand? Whoever they may be, take note of their growth, and how they progressed from humble beginnings, to established facilities and worldwide recognition. Even if they may not be the world’s most famous or profitable beer brand, they still have loyal customers, and they are generally doing well. Depending on their size and their desired position in the market, they need to meet certain requirements and quotas, and that makes it essential that they use the right size brewing equipment to begin with.

For example…

Your average macrobrewery produces over 6 million barrels of beer annually. These are often international brewing companies such as Anheuser-Busch (which is currently the world’s largest brewery) and SABMiller; conglomerates which own numerous small beer brands around the world. Imagine if they relied on small brewing equipment to achieve the results they truly desired. It wouldn’t get them very far would it!

Even breweries that are not yet on on the “macro” level focus on bigger equipment.

Then there are your craft breweries, which are small and independent companies that produce less than six million barrels of beer annually. Examples of these breweries are the New Belgium Brewing Company and the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. Then there are your microbreweries (produce less than 15, 000 barrels a year) such as the Brooklyn Brewery and Stone Brewing Co., in California. What’s the point of mentioning these examples? If you want to elevate your brewing experience and yield, then it’s important to start thinking of using bigger brewing equipment. Using a 20 gallon brew kettle is a great place to start, and it’s the perfect size if you are looking to expand your batch size!

Don’t Short Change Yourself…Or Others

Let’s say you perfected this awesome beer recipe. It’s so great, that you and your brewing partners have to fight the urge to drink it all before you bottle it. When your friends try it, they ask for more and they literally lineup at your door for the next batch! This scenario would indicate that you are setting up the beginnings of what could be your very own brewing company.

But what if you were creating this great recipe in a 5 gallon brew pot all the time? Sure, that size wouldn’t diminish the quality of your beer, but it would diminish the quantity of your product. If you already have adoring fans and loyal customers, don’t you think it would disappoint them to know that you can keep up with their demands? If you have a great product, you will have a great following. As a result, you’ll want to make sure that you can provide them with a suitable amount of beer that they can enjoy at least on a somewhat regular basis.

Therefore, to prevent disappointing a potentially loyal customer base, make the effort to supply with a sufficient quantity of your brew. It creates an upward spiral, since they will tell their own friends and family members to keep coming to you. While it may seem burdensome that you now have to increase your output, remember, that you will be building a legitimate brewing brand. Isn’t that what all brewers want? For this purpose, make sure you invest in brewing equipment that is large enough in size, such as a handy 20 gallon brew kettle!

Brew Satisfaction by Stroking the Ego

Just about everything in life involves the ego to some extent. Even though you might express dislike or disapproval to those who are arrogant, and rightfully so, you should appreciate the benefits of having a little pride. Of course, you don’t want to be an egomaniac like some of the celebrities who are always in the headlines for their eccentricities, but you want to be proud of what you are doing.

• An ego keeps you focused and ambitious
• You’ll always looking to do bigger and better things
• You’ll pick up if you hit a wall, obstacle, or face some kind of failure
• Gives you the motivation to continue when people discourage you
• And of course, it makes you feel good about yourself!

All of the things mentioned above are traits, qualities, and states of being that you most certainly want to have and feel. When you own a 20 gallon brew kettle, the confidence that comes with knowing you can brew larger yields with less boilovers is a great feeling. It can give you the boost you need to continue brewing without feeling discouraged!

Make “20” Your Magic Number

If you are thinking about bringing your yield to the next level, then consider using a 20 gallon brew kettle from now on. While five and 10 gallon brew pots are great to start off with, you’ll want to think about experimenting with a bigger size if you want to keep growing in the art of brewing. You will be able to brew more of that great beer you make, and you will be able to serve more to those are anxious to try it. Once you reach this stage, your confidence as a brewer will grow substantially, and you’ll gain the respect of others in your neighbourhood!